Fastening device



Sept. 2, 1941. E, pREsTlNARl V 2,254,873

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1940 INVENTOR Eu er; Prestnarz/ iM a M ATroRNEYs Patented Sept. 2, 1941 Y OFFICE FASTENING DEVICE Eugen Prestinari,

Gemex Company, of New Jersey Summit, N. J., assignor to Newark, N. J., a corporation Application February 3, 1940, Serial No. 317,140

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to a fastening device and more particularly to a fastening device to be used with bracelets or ne cklaces.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and practical fastening device well adapted to meet varying condi tions. of use. Another object is to provide a fastening device of the above character which is neat and attractive in appearance and is of such sturdy construction as to withstand hard usage. Another object is to provide a fastening device of the above character which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble. Another object is to provide a fastening device of the above character which may be manufactured from light and inexpensive materials. Another object is to provide a fastening device of the above character in which the connection can be quickly made by the user with a minimum of effort. Other objects will in part be obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

This invention, accordingly, consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of my invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my fastening device secured to the end link of a bracelet;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the fastening device shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the cover member in an open position;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

In order that the various novel features of my invention may be more readily understood, it might here be pointed out that when a bracelet or necklace is placed upon the arm or neck, the bracelet or necklace clasp is usually so small that difiiculty is experienced in making the connection. More particularly in devices in which the bracelet end link is hooked to a clasp before the catch is operated, the end link often works out of the clasp before the catch can be closed, or the link twists sideways. When the coupling of the link twists sidewise, it jams the cover member as it is rotated toward a closed position. Furthermore, forcing the cover towards its closed accordingly, another object of this invention to provide a fastening device which will effectively overcome these difiiculties.

Referring now to the drawing, the fastening device comprises a body member, generally indicated at 10 (Figure 2), having a cover member, generally indicated at H, pivotally mounted thereon. A pair of slots I2 are formed in one end of body member "land are adapted to re ceive the coupling I3 (Figures 1 and 5) of the connecting link I 4. A wedge-shaped catch (Figures 3, 4, and 5), generally indicated at 5, is mounted in body member ID and yieldingly pro- J'ects into slots I 2. Link I 00 is secured to the other end of body member ID in any suitable manner such as by soldering. When the device is in use, coupling I3 in slots I 2 and snaps past catch l5. This catch holds the link and body member in the proper relationship while the user is rotating cover member H to lock the link and the fastening device together.

The body member is preferably oval in shape (Figure 4) and comprises a bottom [6 (Figure 5), end walls I! and I8 (Figure 4), side walls [9; and 20, and top 2| (Figures 3 and 5). The bottom and Walls are preferably stamped from a single piece of metal. Top 2| extends between side walls I 9 and 20, preferably having its top surface flush with the upper edges of the side walls (Figure 5). A flange (Figures 4 and 5) extends downwardly from the top 2| to bottom It adjacent end wall 11, and two flanges 23 and 24 (Figure 4) extend downwardly to the bottom at the opposite end of top- 2|. Tongue 25 (Figures 3 and 5), which is an integral part of top 2|, extends outwardly therefrom between flanges 23 and 24, projecting toward slots l2 for pur- Poses set forth below.

SlotslZ are cut in side walls I9 and 20 between flanges 23 and 24 and end wall l8, and extend downwardly therethrough substantially to bottom Iii (Figure 5). At the bottom of the slots. a pair of notches in are preferably cut in side walls l9 and 20 to receive coupling l3 of end link l4. These notches help prevent upward movement of coupling l3 after it has been placed in slots l2 as the natural tendency of a bracelet or necklace is to pull apart,.which, acting in of link I4 is pressed down conjunction with catch I5, holds coupling I3 within the notches.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, a shaft, generally indicated at 10, is secured to cover member II, and comprises a main portion 25 and a reduced portion 21. Reduced portion 21 extends through a hole 'II formed in bottom I6 and has its outer end riveted over a washer 29. The main portion of the shaft is non-circular in shape, and preferably square, and its lower end abuts against bottom I6. Thus, shaft I pivotally mounts cover II on body member l0.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, a U-shaped spring, generally indicated at 30, extends between flange 80 and flanges 23 and 24. Spring 30 is preferably flat and positioned between top 2| and bottom I6, and the inner sides of its legs 3| and 32 abut against main portion 26 of shaft 10. Thus, as the cover member is rotated, shaft 26 spreads the legs of the spring as shown by the outlined positions in Figure 4, and whenever the cover member is rotated beyond a balance point-namely, when the square shaft is diagonally between the legs of the spring, the cover member snaps into an open or closed position.

Wedge-shaped catch member I has a reduced shank 33 which extends into the central portion of the body member through the slot 34 (Figure 4) between flanges 23 and 24, and terminates in an enlarged plate 35. The outer surface of plate 35 abuts against the inner surfaces of flanges 23 and 24. Preferably a space is provided between shank 33 and the edges of slot 34 permitting catch member I5 limited movement in a sid'ewise direction. Aspring 36 (Figure 4) presses against the inner side of plate 35 yieldingly holding the wedge-shaped portion of catch member I5 between slots I2. The inner end of the spring preferably lies in a cup-shaped member 31 (Figures 4 and 5) which prevents shaft ID from interfering with springs 36 when the shaft is rotating.

In operation, the cover II, which forms the secondary catch, is turned to an open position as shown in Figure 3, and coupling I3 is slid downwardly into slots I2 (Figure 5). Coupling I3 strikes the top surface 38 (Figure 5) of primary catch I5 which forces primary catch I5 inwardly toward shaft 10, permitting coupling I3 to snap past the catch and enter notches I2a (Figures 2 and 5). When coupling l3 has passed catch I5, spring 36 forces the catch outwardly so that it again closes the slot. Catch I5 retains coupling I3 within the slots as cover II is rotated and prevents portion l3 from'jumping out of slots I2. It should further be noted that when coupling I3 is moving downwardly in slots I2 it forces the wedge-shaped portion of catch I5 downwardly, increasing the angle of surface 38 which permits coupling I3 to be slid easily past catch I5.

As noted above, catches of this nature are subject to jamming and damage by reason of the coupling being placed in the slots askew. Thus, when the coupling has one end diagonally crosswise of the slot, the cover member strikes it resulting in damage thereto. Also, a person trying to close a cover when the coupling is in this position would damage the slots. This is prevented by having primary and secondary catches. The primary catch retains the coupling within the slot preventing it from jumping out of or twisting in the slot while the secondary catch is being operated, and the secondary catch firmly locks the coupling to the body member.

When it is desired to disconnect link I4 and body member ID, the cover II is turned to the position shown in Figure 3 and the user lifts upwardly upon link I4. Coupling I3 strikes surface 39 of catch I5, tilting it upwardly until it strikes tongue (Figure 5) This increases the angle of surface 39, permitting coupling I3 to be snapped past catch I5.

Cover II is oval in shape and has a flat top 55 (Figures 1 and 3). The longitudinal edges of the cover are beveled to form points 42, 43, 44, and with top at the ends of the cover. Thus, when the user twists cover II, he gets a secure grip on it because of its beveled edges and, as he twists, his fingers strike the points on the ends thereof which greatly facilitates operation of the cover.

Thus, my fastening device has primary and secondary catches, one of which forms a temporary catch to hold the link and catch in interlocked relationship while the secondary catch is being operated, and furthermore the device has a cover so designed that it may be easily rotated by the user. It will now become clear that I have provided a thoroughly practical and durable fastening device in which the several objects hereinabove mentioned, as well as many others, are accomplished. I

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing, is tobe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In an article of the nature described, in combination, a body member having an opening therein, wedge-shaped catch means projecting into said opening, the wedge-shaped surfaces of said catch facing the open and closed ends of said slot, a coupling adapted to be moved into and out of said opening, spring means resiliently pressing said wedge-shaped catch into said opening, whereby when said coupling is inserted into or removed from said opening it coacts with one or the other of the surfaces of said catch means permitting said coupling to pass said catch means in said opening, and secondary catch means for closing the open end of said opening.

2. In an article of the nature described, in combination, a body member having a slot therein, a wedge-shaped catch loosely mounted on said body member and projecting into said slot, spring means resiliently urging said catch into said slot, a link member adapted to be inserted into said slot, whereby when said link member is inserted into said slot said Wedge-shaped member tilts as said link is pressed against it increasing the angle of the surface abutting the link, whereby said link portion may be snapped into and out of a locked position on said body member, and secondary catch means mounted on said body member adapted to close the open end of said slot after said link is yieldingly retained therein by said first-mentioned catch.

3. In a fastening device adapted to connect the ends of a bracelet or a necklace or the like, in combination, a body member having a vertical slot therein, a coupling adapted to be inserted into said slot to connect the opposite ends of a bracelet, a cover member pivotally mounted on a vertical axis on said body member for closing and said slot, a supplemental catch on the body operable between' opening movement thereof relative to open and closed positions with respect to said slot and adapted to yieldingly hold said coupling therein, whereby when said coupling is inserted into said slot, it is held therein by said supplemental catch out of the path of said cover, whereby jamming of said cover against said coupling is precluded.

4. In a fastening device adapted to connect the ends of a bracelet or a necklace or the. like, in combination, a body member having a slot formed therein, a notch cut in said slot at the bottom thereof extending toward the adjacent end of said body member, a coupling adapted to be inserted into said slot to connect the opposite ends of a bracelet, catch means mounted on said body member extending into said slot, whereby, when said coupling is inserted into said slot and pressed past said catch, it is resiliently held within said notch by said catch, and a cover member con.- nected to said body member for closing and opening movement thereof relative to said slot.

5. In a device of the nature described, in combination, a link member, a body member having a slot therein, a wedge-shaped catch member projecting into said slot, resilient means normally yieldingly holding said catch member in said slot, the wedge-shaped surfaces of said catch member facing the open and closed ends of said slot, said catch member being operated by said link member as said link member is pressed into or removed from said slot, and a second catch member pivotally mounted on an axis vertical to said body member, said second catch member being adapted to be pivoted on its axis to close the open end of said slot.

6. In a fastening device adapted to connect the ends of a bracelet or the like, in combination, a bracelet, a body member connected to one end of said bracelet having an opening formed therein, a coupling connected to the other end of said bracelet adapted to be inserted into said opening, primary catch means resiliently mounted on said body member normally adapted to yieldingly close said opening, said primary catch means being operated by said coupling as said coupling is inserted into or removed from said slot, and secondary catch means operatively connected to said body member for closing said opening after said coupling has been inserted therein.

7. In an article of the nature described, in combination, a body member having a slot therein, a link member, a portion of said link member being adapted to fit in said slot, primary catch means resiliently mounted on said body member and yieldingly closing said slot, said pri- 'mary catch means being operated by said link member as said link member is inserted into or removed from said slot, and a member pivotally mounted on an axis vertical to said body member and operable independently of said catch means, said pivotally mounted member being adapted to be pivoted into a closed position to close the open end of said slot, whereby a portion of said link member may be locked therein.

EUGEN PRESTINARI, 

